GTG-38 | I2's Story | SPB 2016

November 28, 2016 in NYC-SPB 2016

Can you tell us the main point of your story?

The main point of my story is that such a short event affected my life so much and had such huge consequences.

What was your experience making the story? For example, did you have any realizations?

For the first time in my life, I told this story as something finished. Not something that still going on, but exactly finished… The fact that I can tell the story that way means that I broke up with it, that it is in the past.

Can you tell us why you said yes to take part in this project?

Usually, there is no occasion to talk about that. So I just took this opportunity, and I really like this project. It is great that other people can see these stories, compare with their own, and realize that they are not alone.

What did you enjoy about this project?

I like that fact that it was easy to tell your story, that it was creative… I am not a good painter and wouldn’t be able to create such a video by myself. But with this application, it was easy technically… And I like it that other people will see it, that I can share my story.

GTG-37 | N's Story | SPB 2016

November 28, 2016 in NYC-SPB 2016

Can you tell us the main point of your story?

The main point of my story is the fact that gender roles, the way in which people see themselves, greatly influence their behavior, the way they threat you.

Can you tell us what you would like other young people to take away from this story?

You should remember that there is a world around you that lives according to its own rules, and those rules affect your life a lot.

Do you feel you contributed something to other young women? If yes, can you explain what and how?

I feel that one can always find something like that in such stories…that feeling that you are not alone, that your experience is important for someone else... It is really supportive.

GTG-36 | I1's Story | SPB 2016

November 28, 2016 in NYC-SPB 2016

Can you tell us the main point of your story?

The main point of my story is fear that emerges in childhood and affects your future.

What was your experience making the story? For example, did you have any realizations?

I realized that I shouldn’t be silent about my fears.

Can you tell us why you said yes to take part in this project?

Because family violence happens really often, one shouldn’t be silent about that.

GTG-34 | SPB 2016

November 28, 2016 in Social/Self Violences, NYC-SPB 2016

Can you tell us what you would like other young people to take away from this story?

That one should not disregard people who are close. One should give attention to them, respect their time, value them without any privileges. Without paying your attention to one person, just because this person is your boyfriend and you’re supposed to give him all your life because you love him, and all your time, despite the fact that right now you want to be with your friend.

What did you enjoy about this project?

It is like you feel this atmosphere, and you can stand in someone’s shoes, someone whose story you are watching… And it is interesting, how another person shows emotions with video, pictures, and music.

Do you feel you contributed something to other young women?

I hope so… or maybe they just can laugh, and someone will realize that maybe such things are unpleasant not only for me, but also for other people.

GTG-33 | M's Story | NYC 2016

November 28, 2016 in Social/Self Violences, NYC-SPB 2016

Can you tell us the main point of your story?

My story is in this context of a very religious community...where a lot of traditional, societal values or even current, societal values are heightened because it's so extreme… And then, what happens when a girl is growing older or is released into the world and has to define herself and figure out her own morals.

Do you feel you contributed something to other young women?

I hope I offered a story that people can connect with… It's nice to hear that there are themes that people connect to no matter what. But, I do hope that someone who has been through what I have finds solace in it, because it is an experience that feels really isolating, especially since I don't have any friends who have been through what I have… I just hope it reaches someone...even just one girl who was raised in a community like that and chose to leave.

GTG-32 | LA2's Story | SPB 2016

November 28, 2016 in Family and Relationships, NYC-SPB 2016

Can you tell us the main point of your story?

The point was to show by vivid example that domestic violence became a part of our society, and it even is not considered as violence.

Can you tell us why you selected this story?

In my life, it is a bright example of humiliation, bright example of indifference, and of course, it influenced me.

What was your experience making the story?

In the beginning it was hard to understand how tell my story, but when I started, I became inspired by my work.

Can you tell us why you said yes to take part in this project?

Maybe after watching my story some people will think about the problem of domestic violence, will change something in themselves, or will try to change something in their environment.

What did you enjoy about this project?

I enjoyed the fact that I could speak out, tell my story, live through it again, and think more about this problem.

GTG-31 | JZ's Story | NYC 2016

November 28, 2016 in Landscapes We Navigate, NYC-SPB 2016

What is the main point of your story, what do you want people to take away, and why did you select it?

The main point is that we should always be careful where we are, just because as a female, we are more of a target to gender-based violence… I think that people should know that even though they are trying to be safe, sometimes that's just not enough. You may have to put restrictions that you can't go out late at night. It's unfair, but it is a little safer... This story just happened so publicly that you wouldn't think someone would do something like that. Like out in public, everyone could see it, but it didn't stop the guy from violating me.

Did you feel you contributed to other young women?

Yes, I did… I hope I didn't scare women into thinking that we can't be independent and be our own person. We can. We just have to be smart about it. Even as a male, I think we shouldn't walk out at night… We just have to be smart about it.

GTG-30 | MA1's Story | SPB 2016

November 28, 2016 in Landscapes We Navigate, NYC-SPB 2016

Can you tell us the main point of your story?

The point of my story is the story itself. It is such a standard situation, and every young woman can face it.

Can you tell us what you would like other young people to take away from this story?

I want other young women to realize...some people just need to speak out, even if anonymously, to write something online or somehow else. Anyway, one should not keep it to herself. Otherwise, the person is left alone with this problem. It will not solve the problem, it just can get worse.

Do you feel you contributed something to other young women?

I think so… Anyone who sees it can understand that she can face such an experience. And there is compassion and empathy for those who are able to feel it. Here is the point.